Arrival Information

You are here

You’re going on vacation to have fun, relax, and make incredible memories with your friends and family. The last thing you need is for your trip to start with a stressful check-in and arrival process. Our team wants to help make the start of your stay a seamless process, so you can get to having fun as quickly as possible. Below we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions so you can know what to expect.

If you have any additional questions regarding arrival or your stay feel free to call one of our friendly vacation planners at (888) 309-3259. We looking forward to your arrival and hope your group has an incredible time in Charleston!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where do I check in?

You will check in at the Island Realty rental office which is conveniently located at the base of the Isle of Palms Connector at 1304 Palm Blvd. Isle of Palms, SC 29451.

When is check-in time?

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, our Check-In time is from 4:00 P.M-7:00 P.M. Before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, Check-In time is from 4:00 PM-5:30 PM. We would like to remind you that the property may not be available for occupancy before this time, even if it is not occupied prior to your arrival. We encourage you to delay any grocery shopping or luggage drop offs until you have received the keys or door code to your property. No refunds shall be given for check-ins within this window on arrival date.

What if another guest in my party arrives before me? Can they check in for me?

If another renter arrives before the reservation holder they will be able to check in provided that the unit has been cleared for check in. Please ensure that any guests who may check in, are equipped with all reservation details so that we can verify their identity. Additionally, any guest who will be checking in on behalf of the reservation holder will be required to supply a mobile telephone number and sign the check-in card agreeing to the terms and conditions of the rental agreement on behalf of the reservation holder.

What if I will be arriving after your office closes?

If you will be arriving after office hours, please contact our office by 5:00 P.M. on the date of arrival to arrange for a lockbox. You can contact our office by calling (888) 309-3259 or texting (843) 886-8144. All of the lockboxes are located inside of our office and are marked "Late Arrivals" They are accessible 24 hours.

What will be included in my check-in packet?

Your check-in packet will include your entry keys or code, parking passes (if applicable), gate and pool passes or codes (if applicable), area maps, Island Realty rental information and procedures, and important rules and regulations for the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island.

What do I need to bring?

Time to pack your bags!

Your vacation rental home or condo gives you a great starter set of common household items that you’ll need during your stay. Here’s a list of some items you’ll have, and a list of items you’ll need to bring from home:

All rental properties come equipped with an initial set up of toilet paper, trash bags, paper towels, soap, dishwashing soap, and dishwasher detergent. These items are not replenished once they run out. You should either plan to bring extra supplies and any other paper or cleaning products you may need during your stay, or purchase them after you arrive.

How do I order linens and/or additional housekeeping services?

If you need additional linens or your property does not include linens, please call our office to order them or to arrange for housekeeping services. Linens must be ordered at least two weeks prior to your arrival to allow for availability and delivery. The prices for housekeeping services and linens can be found here.

How many parking spaces will I have?

The amount of parking spaces, or total number of cars that can park at the property, will be listed in the unit description of the property you are renting. Please plan accordingly and only travel in the number of cars your unit can accommodate. Our front desk attendants will not be able to issue additional parking passes or change the name on the passes at check-in.

What do I do if there are issues with the unit?

When you first arrive at your unit, please walk through the property and thoroughly check to make sure everything is clean and working properly (appliances, A/C, elevators, doors, etc.). If you find an issue please contact our office and we will schedule maintenance repairs as soon as possible.

Refrigerators: Before you arrive, our housekeeping team will empty and clean the refrigerator. During this process the refrigerator may be open for a good amount of time. Not long after this you will arrive with warm food needing refrigeration. It will take 12 to 24 hours for the refrigerator to cool completely after you check in. Please leave the refrigerator on medium settings to prevent the unit from being overworked and not able to properly cool your food.

Air Conditioning (A/C): The Lowcountry summers can get pretty hot, reaching temperatures in the upper 80s and sometimes up to 100+ degrees! Due to this extreme heat, it may take the air conditioners 24 hours to properly cool a rental property. Our HVAC units work best when set at a constant temperature. Please be advised our systems are only designed to keep interior temperatures within 15-20 degrees of the ambient outside temperatures. All windows and doors should be closed when the air conditioner is running. On super-hot days, the upper floors may not cool down until after sunset. Keeping the blinds closed will help the A/C work more effectively on those hot days.

How should I plan for weather/traffic?

Before arriving in Charleston, we recommend visiting local news and media sources to get the latest weather and traffic advisory for your stay. For local news and weather updates you can visit https://www.live5news.com/. Be advised that during the summer season and holidays the traffic is heavier on the Island and throughout the Charleston area. Please plan your travel and activities accordingly.

How can I get in touch with the Island Realty if I need help or have a question?

Important Phone Numbers:

Island Realty Contacts

Guest Services:

Phone: (888) 309-3259

Text: (843) 886-8144

Concierge: (843) 203-0910

24hr Maintenance:

Phone: (843) 242-1083

Text: (843) 242-1083 (9am-5pm)

Housekeeping: (843) 886-9813

Owner Representatives: (843) 242-1089

Island Contacts

IOP Recreation Department: (843) 886-8294

Marine Forecast: (843) 747-5859 x 2

Emergency Contacts

In case of emergency, dial 911

Isle of Palms Police: (843) 886-6522

Isle of Palms Fire Department: (843) 886-4410

Sullivan’s Island Police: (843) 883-3198

Sullivan’s Island Fire Department: (843) 883-9944

Poison Control Center: (800) 222-1222

US Coast Guard: (843) 724-7600​

What should I do during my stay?

Whether this is your first time to the Island, or you’ve been coming here for years, everyone can benefit from planning ahead! Use the Trip Planning section of our site to discover local restaurants and attractions, learn more about the area, and even add on items like beach chair & umbrella rentals, baby equipment rentals, and tickets to local activities!